MASTER OF TOURISM &

TRAVEL MANAGEMENT

MTTM-16

DISSERTATION GUIDE

School of Tourism and Hospitality Services Sectoral

Management (SOTHSSM)
Indira Gandhi National Open University
MTM-16 (Now MTTM-16) Original Course Team
Coordinator & Editor Prof. Ravindra Kumar Ms. Paramita Suklabaidya
Prof. Kapil Kumar SOSS, IGNOU Consultant, IGNOU
SOSS, IGNOU
Print Production Secretarial Assistance CRC Preparation
Mr. Jitender Sethi Mr. Rajeev Kumar Mr. Parag Gupta

MTTM-16 Course Revision Team

____________________________________________________________________________
Dr. Paramita Suklabaidya Ms. Tangjakhombi Akoijam
Assistant Professor, IGNOU Assistant Professor &
Programme Coordinator, IGNOU

March, 2017
© Indira Gandhi National Open University, 2017

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form, by mimeograph or
any other means, without permission in writing from the Indira Gandhi National Open
University.

Further Information on the Indira Gandhi Open University courses may be obtained from the
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Printed and published on behalf of the Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, by
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MTTM 16 DISSERTATION GUIDE
Structure
16.0 Objectives
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Tourism Research
16.3 Dissertation Work for You
16.3.1 Dissertation Supervision
16.3.2 Selecting a Topic
16.3.3 Dissertation Proposal
16.4 Some Sample Themes of Research
16.5 Methodology: Some Hints
16.5.1 Collecting Data
16.5.2 Analysing Data
16.6 Writing Your Dissertation
16.6.1 Writing
16.6.2 Editing and Writing
16.7 Final Dissertation Report : Submission and Evaluation
16.8 Let Us Sum Up
16.9 Annexures
16.9.1 Dissertation Proposal Proforma
16.9.2 Cover Page of Dissertation
16.8.3 First Page of Dissertation Report

16.0 OBJECTIVES
After going through this dissertation guide, you will be able to:
 appreciate the importance of tourism research;
 understand the relevance of dissertation work for completing the MTTM programme;
 acquaint yourself with the various steps that have to be followed for writing a dissertation;
 know the rules in relation to this course; and
 take note of the do’s and don’ts in regard to dissertation work.

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16.1 INTRODUCTION
One gets varied responses from learners in relation to dissertation work. Some get panicky,
some have apprehensions while others take it as a challenge and enthusiastically work on it.
Well, we would like our learners to be in the third category. Please remember that in this
course we are not asking you to take up a major research project. In fact, what we are
attempting is to take you a few steps further on from what you must have done earlier in school
or at undergraduate level (remember the teacher having asked you to do a project in school; as
BTS students you did three projects; while doing a Diploma in Hotel Management you did
projects and so on). The aim here is to sharpen your research skills, provide a practical
understanding of the tourism system, give some field experience, etc. This will help you
develop managerial capabilities or develop yourself as a researcher or an activist concerned
about sustainable tourism development. Of course, this will depend on the topic that you
pursue for your Dissertation.
This Dissertation Guide not only acquaints you with the procedures and rules to be followed
for completing MTTM-16 but also provides you an understanding of how to go about it. It
starts with a brief discussion on the nature of tourism research and goes on to explain the steps
related to Dissertation Work. Some of the relevant questions that we attempt to answer in this
Guide include:
 How to select a topic and prepare a Dissertation Proposal?
 What type of methodology should be adopted?
 How to write your Dissertation Report? Etc
You must therefore go through the guide carefully before taking up the Dissertation work.

16.2 TOURISM RESEARCH

You are already aware of the diverse nature of the tourism industry and its long-term
implications on economy, society, culture and environment. Whether it is a question of
planning and developing sustainable tourism or managing varied tourism business operations,
research is an essential component of all such activities. For example, to understand the impact
of tourism, one has to go for research; for developing a product one needs market research and
so on. Tourism, as a discipline of its own, is in an evolutionary stage and research in this area
has to be inter-disciplinary. In many developed countries and for some destinations, a certain
amount of research findings are available and the same is the case for some industry segments
of significance. However, tourism research still remains fragmented and in many cases also
lacks the sense of direction. Douglas G. Pears in his book on Tourism Research Critics and
Challenges (1993) has pointed out: "much tourism research has been methodologically
unsophisticated and not supported by a strong theoretical base. Such characteristics are
explained, if not excused, by the infancy of the field but this temporal dimension alone is an
inadequate explanation. A related and equally important factor has been the often uncritical
manner in which much tourism research has been undertaken. The emphasis has been on the
results with very little attention being paid to the way in which the research has been carried
out."

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J. Jafari (1989) has located tourism research and writings into four main "Platforms" :
1) Advocacy Platform: This stresses mainly on the economic benefits and contributions of
tourism and research from this point of view, describes tourism as a major form of
development. However, it ignores the various other factors related with tourism.
2) Cautionary Approach: This kind of approach emerges as a reaction to the Advocacy
Platform. It questions the economic benefits and looks into the negative social-cultural and
environmental impacts of tourism.
3) Adaptancy Platform: This approach stresses on the changing aspects of tourism. It
addresses questions like how tourism is changing to adapt to new demands. It further
stresses the new forms of tourism like sustainable tourism, alternative tourism, eco
tourism, etc.
4) Knowledge-based Platform: This approach emphasises on the inter-disciplinary research
which takes a holistic view of tourism.
However, we would like to put another fifth platform i.e. Tourism Business Research. In
this we use the various methodologies for research in business operations and management, but
at the same time keep applying the first four approaches as per the requirements.

In fact, what is required is a critical approach for research in this area which takes into
consideration both the positive as well as the negative impacts. Douglas G Pears strongly
advocates comparative studies in tourism research. According to him, "the comparative
approach has yet to emerge as a distinctive, readily recognisable methodology in tourism
research, despite its application to a vide variety of problems". There are scholars like Frances
Brown (Tourism Reassessed Blight or Blessing, 1998) who stress upon an international
approach to tourism research and in favour of his arguments, Brown mentions that "Political
and economic upheavals in one part of the world may affect travel to and from other parts,
altering tourism flows and producing a knock-on economic effect. Governments can impose
tourism 'sanctions' that are every bit as effective as commodity embargoes. Some countries
have used tourism to help solve balance of trade surpluses, to project a particular image or to
promote their own ideology. The very establishment and operation of a tourism industry can be
viewed (depending on one's perspective and political leanings) either as a means to
development, modernisation and 'progress' or as an example of structural dependency and neo-
colonial exploitation." Hence, besides economic, social, cultural, business and environment one
should also take into account political considerations in tourism research.
Tourism is used both as a political and an economic tool as also an instrument for image-
creation by many nations. International relations affect tourism in a variety of ways. Francis
Brown gives the example of the fall of Berlin Wall in 1989 "which completely changed the
tourism map of Central and Eastern Europe". Similarly, relaxation in travel restrictions by
China or the end of apartheid in South Africa had a bearing on international tourism. Such
political changes not only affect the movement of people but also have a bearing on tourism
businesses like designing of new tourism products, search for new tourism markets both
inbound and outbound, entry of multi-nationals into new tourism areas etc. One must
remember the fact that in addition to the big players or the multi-nationals the tourism industry
constitutes of a large number of small scale businesses. These small businesses also need to be

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investigated and research data collected and analysed to understand the overwhelming reach
and impact of tourism.
Today the relevance of tourism research is being gradually acknowledged at all levels – global,
national, regional, local and site-specific. Yet, in the developing countries research still remains
weak and this could be due to many reasons like lack of data, lack of debate, lack of financial
resources, lack of political will or even lack of understanding about the potential and role of
tourism research, etc. These limitations cannot be dealt with overnight. However, let us, as
students of tourism, attempt to contribute in our own way whatever we can in the area of
tourism research.

16.3 DISSERTATION WORK FOR YOU

Keeping in view the significance and the role of research in tourism (planning, impacts,
marketing and business operations, etc.) we have this course – MTTM-16, as a compulsory
dissertation component of the MTTM programme for our learners. The importance of this
component in the programme is evident from the 8 credit value attached to it. The Masters
Programme is aimed at imparting knowledge and skills to managerial/semi-managerial jobs or
entrepreneurs in the area of tourism. It is expected that acquaintance with the areas of tourism
research and the dissertation work will enable the students to gain an insight into the tourism
system. Further it would also provide the learners relevant experience and exposure to the field
situations in this sector. This course, thus, also focuses on practical or field-oriented situations
and by researching on them you would be sharpening your skills in those areas. As a research
work the preparation of dissertation is an opportunity to gain exposure to the working methods
of the tourism industry and understanding tourism impacts. You are expected to put into
practice all that you have learnt about that particular theme during your course work. It is a
way of applying the knowledge gained through the courses to specific situations in Tourism.
The dissertation is a preliminary form of research. An investigation into a topic under a broad
subject area, it is largely your own work and is to be pursued by you all the way – from the
inception of an idea/topic till the final report is prepared. Of course, you will have your
supervisor to guide you for the work.
Your Dissertation Work is worth eight credits. This means that you are expected to spend about
240 study hours in completing your work. Award of the degree is subject to a successful
completion of your dissertation. To be able to successfully complete the degree you must
secure a minimum of 40% of marks (Grade D). We would prefer to receive a typed and
bound copy of your Dissertation Work. The format of the cover page is given in the
Annexures. The length of your Dissertation Work may be between 10,000 to 15000 words or
more depending on the topic. Keep both these things (expected study hours and the expected
length of your work) in mind while choosing the topic.

16.3.1 Dissertation Supervision

Your Dissertation shall be guided by a Supervisor recognised by the Indira Gandhi National
Open University. All counsellors of the MTTM programme at the study centres are
recognised as supervisors for guiding dissertations. A list of supervisors is available with

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the Coordinator of your Study Centre. You can also have a supervisor from
university/college teachers or from the tourism industry. However, such person:
 Should hold the rank of Manager or above (if chosen from the Tourism industry)
 Should have at least three years of teaching experience (for academics)
If you are taking a supervisor of your choice (from industry or academic) apart from
IGNOU Councellors at the respective Study Centres, send a brief bio-data of him/her
along with the dissertation proposal to the Programme Coordinator at New Delhi for
approval.
In case you have any problems in this regard you are always welcome to write to the
Programme Coordinator and seek advice.
Note: In case some Delhi-based students want to have the IGNOU tourism faculty members as
Supervisors, they can approach us for the same. However, it is advised that you have a
Supervisor whom you can easily access.

16.3.2 Selecting a Topic

Selecting a topic is your first step towards the completion of your Dissertation. About the only
thing you will be sure of at the end of the previous semesters is that you do want to write on a
subject that directly relates to your choice of a career in tourism. Any narrower topic will
probably elude you, for the moment anyway. Knowing this much gives you something to work
with. Focussed and specified topic will probably elude you, for the moment anyway. In fact at
this moment you are in the "thinking about it stage". (S. Joseph Leirme (Writing or
Presenting your Thesis or Dissertation, www.learnerassociates.net/dissthes/). Go to the
library or consult the managers in the tourism sector. As an introduction and overview (which
is all you want at this time) read any text that relates to your area of interest. You might return
with some ideas. Do not try to remember all that is in it. You are looking just for ideas. A
wealth of possible topics lies before you. You will probably decide, however, that some of
these ideas are too large for a dissertation. At the same time you would also gather several
ideas that are good and can be explored further. There could possibly be a manageable idea as
well. At this point you may also begin to question whether this idea and the related topic,
interesting though it might be, might not be too narrow for you to work on. Broaden the topic
somewhat. Perhaps you will want to return to another idea. You should find a suitable topic –
a topic on which data will be available.
In fact a lot of thinking and creativity is required at this stage. You should not eliminate ideas
in a haste nor should you sit on them for a long time. Narrow down your ideas and pin your
idea down to a broad topic. This topic, however, will have to be narrowed down still further in
order to focus your research. The next Section (16.4) will be of some help to you.
Ask for the Supervisor's advice. Tell him/her what you have read or experienced, what your
thinking is, and ask his/her help. The Supervisor's question provides an opportunity to learn
something that the specialist in tourism studies knows. Seize the opportunity. If you do, you
will have a good working topic for your Dissertation. You will also have completed the hardest
task, selecting the working topic. From here on, completing the Dissertation will be just a
matter of technique.

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The purpose of giving you Dissertation Work is to make you face real situations in your
professional training in different areas of tourism. The Dissertation Work should, therefore, be
selected by you in order that you can
1) learn something about the variety and locations of tourism development situations;
2) learn how to evaluate the potential of these situations;
3) improve organising and managerial skills, etc.
In short, it is to teach you how to research, analyse, and assess the tourism potential of
areas/regions/products. The first purpose teaches the fullest and most efficient use of the
tourism resources; the second and third purposes teach how best to manage these resources.
Here is a final check. Does each of these statements describe you? If they do you are ready to
prepare your research proposal.
I am familiar with researches that have been conducted on themes related to my dissertation
topic.
(_____Yes)
(_____No) If no, try to familiarise yourself

I have a clear knowledge of the steps that I follow in conducting my research.

(_____Yes)
If no, first understand the steps
(_____No)

I have an adequate theoretical framework of study.

(_____Yes)
If no, first develop some theoretical base
(_____No)

I am aware of my sources from where to collect the required data.

(_____Yes)
If no, first look for your sources
(_____No)

I feel that I have the ability, motivation and drive to get through each of the steps necessary
to complete my research project.
(_____Yes)
If no, understand the steps first
(_____No)

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16.3.3 Dissertation Proposal
After identifying the area of study and a proper topic you should prepare a Proposal/Synopsis
in not more than 1000 words. Your Proposal is essentially a description of what you propose to
do and how you intend to go about it. The Dissertation proposal should be prepared in
consultation with the supervisor and should have the following details:

 Title of the proposed Dissertation.

 Rationale behind the proposed topic (Why you have chosen the topic).
 Objectives of your study (State clearly what you intend to achieve or find out through
your proposed study).
 Review of relevant Literature (evaluation of previous research work) related to your
selected topic to identify the research gap and give a theoretical base to your proposed
research work.
 An outline of the research plan and methods to be used for your proposed study.
 Chapter Outline. Identify and list tentative chapters of your proposed Dissertation
Work. Also outline briefly the content of each chapter.
 A preliminary bibliography (list the sources you have referred to/used while preparing
the proposal).

You may also discuss your Proposal, with your friends and colleagues, your counsellor, your
counsellor and any experts in that field that you know about. If you want to work on any
organisation it is advised that you seek the approval of the concerned organisation at this stage
itself.
It is very important that you are familiar with the geographical area you wish to base your topic
on. It should also be accessible to you. Generally, it is a good idea to choose a surrounding
which is close by, or within your travelling range. It is a good thing to be close to one's
sources. Never take a topic for an area which you cannot visit or experience. For example, if
you intend to work on a topic related to Kashmir, then you have chosen the topic as you have
visited Kashmir or you are in the process of visiting Kashmir. Else the Dissertation will be
based on bookish knowledge and the very purpose of preparing Dissertation based on
experience and practical aspects would be defeated.

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Prepare two copies of your proposal (preferably typed), obtain the approval of your Supervisor
on the format given in Annexure in Sub-sec.16.9.1 and send one copy on the following
address:

Write on top of the

envelope in bold
MTTM - 16

Programme Coordinator (MTTM)

School of Tourism and Hospitality Services Sectoral Management (SOTHSSM)
Block No.15, 2nd Floor
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi - 110 068

Remember to:
 Keep a copy of the proposal with you, since we will not send your copy back.
 Ensure that Dissertation Proposal Proforma given at Annexure A of the MTTM 16 Booklet
is filled up in all respect including the signature of your supervisor. This Proforma should
invariably be the first or covering page of your Dissertation Proposal/synopsis
 Give your complete postal address along with the area pin code. We will be sending
the Letter of Acknowledgement and Comment of proposal submission by Speed post.
Many a times because of incomplete address given by the learner/students, the letters
are returned back to us.
 Send your Proposal through Registered Post only, so that it reaches us for sure.

Communication of Approval
A written communication regarding the approval/non-approval of the Dissertation proposal
will be sent to the student. The approval should normally reach you within a month of the
receipt of the proposal in the School.
The approval letter will also give an authorisation which may enable you to make enquiry and
investigations in different organisations pertaining to your work. However, this authorisation
does not give you free access as the organisations take their own decision in this regard.

REMEMBER
1) Wait for your letter of approval of the Proposal. The approval should normally
not take more than a month. You should begin on the Dissertation only after
obtaining the approval from Programme Coordinator MTTM.
2) Keep this Letter of Approval safe.
3) This Letter of Proposal Approval should be attached in your final Dissertation
Report as and when you prepare and submit it. Keep a photocopy with you.
4) The University has the right to return back to the student the Dissertation Report
if submitted without this Letter of Proposal Approval.

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Re-submission of Dissertation Proposal (if not approved)
In case of non-approval of the proposal, the comments/suggestions for re-formulating the
Dissertation Proposal with be communicated to the student. In such case the revised
proposal/synopsis should be submitted again in proper format along with the copy of the Letter
of the proposal rejection bearing the comments of the Programme Coordinator, MTTM (New
Delhi).

16.4 SOME SAMPLE THEMES OF RESEARCH

Here, we provide you some sample themes out of which you can select one and narrow down
on a topic. However, these are only samples and you can select beyond this list also. At the
same time note that, for example, Use of Technology in tourism is a theme. It is not a topic for
research. The topics under this broad theme could be many like "Technology in hotel
marketing: A case study of ITDC" or "Impact of technology on small travel agencies: A case
study of travel agencies in Lucknow".

The various themes outlined below are only samples and should not be mistaken for
specific Dissertation Topic/Title

Tourism Management
 HRM Policies in Organisations and their Critical Evaluation
 Organisational Culture
 Group Dynamics, Interpersonal Relationship and Conflict Management
 Gender Issues and Possible Solutions
 Safety and Security Concerns and their Management
 Host Guest Relationship and Visitor Management
 Carrying Capacity of Sites/Destinations
 Linkages among various Constituents of Tourism Industry
 Role of Unorganised Sector in Tourism Development and Management
 Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in Tourism and Hospitality Industry
 Information Management in Tourism
 HRD Policies and Practices
 Critical Analysis of Tourism Policies
 CSR is Tourism and Hospitality Industry
 Role and Functions of Tourism Organisations

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Tourism Resources and Products
 Socio-religious practices and customs of local communities. The study can also focus on
specific rituals and customs practiced among local community, Fairs, religion and/or social
festivals etc. in relation with tourism;

 Fine arts of a region especially various dance forms, music, and traditions of painting, the
documentary details pertaining to the practice of the fine arts, (development and dispersal);
and how these can be incorporated as tourism products;

 Architectural styles – their origin, development and present form; their history, tourist flow,
the state of conservation and management and their relation to tourism;

 Archaeological sites in a region and their relationship with tourism. A comparative study of
sites in a region, the tourist flow at these sites and ancillary attractions of any can also be
studied;

 Museum in your region/locality and their contribution to tourism development and

promotion. The collection of artifacts in the museum and their upkeep, interest of local
population and tourists in the museum are visible areas;

 Textile, crafts and craftsmen specific to a region and their relevance in tourism. The
problem of authenticity in craft forms and their commercial potential as also the importance
of a craft in the overall commercial production of the region;

 Tribal cultures in your region and their tourism potential;

 Government policies on tourism and culture – a critical study of these policies and their
effect on tourism;

 Concept and case study related to Health, Medical, Wellness and Holistic tourism;

 Concept and case study of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Tourism;

 Crises – types, popularity and cases;

 Prospects and Challenge in other Special Interest Tourism (SIT) like Adventure Tourism,
Events and so on.

Tourism Marketing
 Consumer research which may include profiling of tourists (domestic or international
tourists) visitor expectations and behavior, influences;

 Segmentation of tourist market and market analysis (domestic/international); specific

markets;

 Comparative analysis of pricing strategies;

 Analysing promotional campaigns and Events carried out by destinations, tourism

departments, tour operators, travel agencies etc.;

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 Advertising, Publicity, Public relations, Sales promotion and use of media for marketing;

 Issues related to seasonal marketing, socially responsible marketing and relationship

marketing;

 Familiarisation tours, Travel marts and Shows;

 Marketing of any product or service like destinations, events, shopping, airlines,

accommodation, tourist transport, travel agency, tour operators, etc.;

 Role and impact of technology in tourism marketing (comparative studies, use of Internet);

 Distribution channels and strategies (various tourism businesses);

 Consumer buying behaviour and decision making process;

 Destination Branding and Destination image building;

 Tourist Experience management, Tourist Reception and Satisfaction Evaluation;

 Identifying and marketing MICE, cruises, etc.

Tourism Impacts
 The arm twisting methods adopted by the developed countries in deciding the nature of
tourism in developing countries;

 The effects on tourism due to the strained international relationships;

 The political situation prevalent in a country or region and its impact on tourism;

 Ecological and Environmental impacts of Tourism development observed in your

locality/region, and their possible solutions;

 Developmental activities in your locality and activities in your locality and region and their
impact on and linkages with tourism;

 Socio-cultural impacts of tourism theories and models with case study;

 Economic Impacts – Multiplier Effect, infrastructural development, job opportunities etc.;

 Surveying the community perception and visitors’ behaviour with regard to development
and tourism activities;

 Impact of war or political unrest on tourism;

 Political developments and their mark on international/national tourism, including role

played by NGOs and international tourism bodies like WTO, PATA, IATA and others.

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Further you are absolutely free to add to these themes or look for more. These are just
samples for guidance.

You must retain the Dissertation Guide till you have completed the
entire Programme

In case of any additional academic query, you may write to:

Programme Coordinator, MTTM

School of Tourism and Hospitality Services Sectoral Management (SOTHSSM)
Block-15
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Maidan Garhi
New Delhi - 110 068

Or call at
Telephone No. 011-29571756

Or e-mail at
E-mail ID: mtm@ignou.ac.in

16.5 METHODOLOGY: SOME HINTS

All matters relating to dissertation work must be planned and decided in advance. This means
designing your research work.
The meaning of 'design' in research will be clear to you with the help of an analogy. Imagine,
for a moment, how an architect designs a building, say a house. To begin with, the architect
conceives the layout of the building. He/she decides how large it will be, how many rooms it
will have, what materials will be used and so on. He/she considers each decision that will have
to be made during the construction of the house. He/she does all this before the actual
construction begins. Thus he/she prepares a design so as to have a clear picture of the house.
The preparation of such a design helps to eliminate the difficulties which may be encountered
at the time of construction. It also avoids wastage of time, money and material. Further, such
an exercise enables the construction plan to be executed successfully.
The above analogy is equally relevant to the field of research. After selecting the topic and
before conducting the research investigation, it is necessary for a researcher to make a number
of decisions concerning aspects such as:
 Type of data to be collected;
 Tools of data collection (Research Methods) e.g. questionnaires, interviews, etc.;

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 Equipment to be used (e.g. a voice recorder);
 Sources to be used;
 Field work to be done;
 Whether to take attachment with some organisations;
 Tabulation and Analysis;
 Time frame of study;
 Cost estimates; etc.
These decisions are to be articulated in such a manner that they remain feasible. Thus, broadly
speaking, the research design is a symbolic representation of such decisions that help in the
creation of conditions for the successful completion of a research investigation combining
relevance and purpose of research with costs and procedures.
16.5.1 Collecting Data
Data collection, which is the process of gathering information from different sources, begins
after your topic and research problem have been identified and your research objectives stated.
There are two types of data:
 Primary data: These are data collected through first-hand investigation and generated
specifically for purposes to address the identified problem/ objectives of a particular
research study. Common method of collecting primary data includes observation,
interviews, questionnaires, surveys, focus groups etc.
 Secondary data: These are data already available and collected for purposes other than
the research problem at hand. Secondary data can be found in published or unpublished
sources, journals, newspapers etc.
Collecting data, please remember, is the most important stage of your Dissertation Work since
it provides all the sources that you will eventually need while writing your report. Data
collection begins after your topic has been identified and approved. It is a rigorous process.
The exact nature of your data collection depends on your theme. However, certain points need
to be kept in mind:
 It is always better to over collect than under collect your material. Eventually it is only half
of it, and sometimes even less than that, which is utilised directly in your report. But every
piece of information collected at this stage contributes to your knowledge of Tourism
Studies. Do not get overwhelmed by the volume of your data. Do not, therefore, leave
opportunities of data collection, or put it off for another day. You may not get the same
opportunity again. Your sources, whether in the form of books, documents, sights or people
may not be always available to you.
 Some thinking, a system screening and monitoring are crucial in data collection. Certain
principles of selection and the development of a framework in which to operate are as
useful before you begin the work of data collection as they are during the process. If, for
instance, you have to collect samples of responses, then do spend some time in preparing

15
 your questionnaire. Consult your supervisor, speak to experts in the field and read some
literature related to it. Your questionnaire should evolve out of all these. The kind of
answers you get in your questionnaire will depend, to a very large extent, on the kind of
questions you ask. Time spend on this exercise will save you from landing into many
problems later. If you want to organise a group meeting, then selection of people,
representation of cross-sections and preparation, by you, of questions, statements and
interventions in the debate will be useful. Your ability to record or put down on paper
various view points and arguments will enable you to store material. Remember, these
group meetings may not always proceed as you plan originally. If it so happens do not get
disheartened. Spontaneous and unanticipated responses are often very useful material. The
important principle is thorough home work so that you approach your sources fully
prepared and equipped, intellectually and psychologically.
Some important things to remember are given here:
 Classification and cataloguing of data will enable you to make an effective use of your
material later.
 You should note the date and place etc. of the interviews taken.
 Maintaining separate files of different kinds of sources will help you later at the time of
writing your report.
16.5.2 Analysing Data
Analysing data may not in all the cases exist as a separate stage. It often overlaps with the
earlier and later stages. Analysis of your source material begins immediately after you have
started collecting data. Analysing data requires maintaining constant interaction with your
source material, developing different ways in which to look at your data, applying different
interpretations to it and finally translating your material into a set of arguments around which
your report should be written. It is while going through your material again and again that you
become clear about the various aspects of the theme under investigation and the possibilities it
contains. This helps you in building your argument.
Remember, your data can be in the form of written records, articles, copies of rules and
regulations, impressions, recorded interviews, your own diary, observations, questionnaires,
government documents, newspaper clippings, and minutes of group meetings etc. In other
words you will have access to material collected from a variety of sources. As you sort them
out you will realise that they contain facts and information on the one hand and impressions
and opinions on the other. Quite often the two may be at variance with each other, and present
a very complex and somewhat self-contradictory picture of things. While retaining the
complexity (that is to say not simplifying it unnecessarily) you have to avoid making your
report appear contradictory. You can do this by distinguishing facts from opinions and
making sure that other people's judgements do not appear as your own. While scanning
your data, for example, you may find that an official document on a particular monument may
be very different from popular versions about the same monument. In another case, for
instance, media's handling of the environmental issues may not correspond with your own
discoveries in your region. In such situations you will have to record your own impressions
without being dismissive or unfaithful to other versions.

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16.6 WRITING YOUR DISSERTATION
Writing a dissertation is a specialised task and in the following Sub-sections we give you some
hints.
16.6.1 Writing
Good writing is clear writing. One who writes well writes plain English and avoids jargon and
slang. If you find yourself writing a sentence you cannot end, break down the sentence into its
component ideas and start over again with several simple sentences in place of the cumbersome
one. It has a beginning, middle, and an end. A good beginning introduces the subject as briefly
as possible. A good ending sums up and concludes, again, as briefly as possible. A good
Dissertation is structured, can be outlined easily because it was written from an outline, avoids
tangents, and is devoid of emotional language.
It is written in well-formed sections/chapters. Each section/chapter is formed by the elaboration
of one idea or by the elaboration of more than one idea, when the ideas are closely related.
You should also see that every paragraph evolves out of the paragraph that preceded it; that is,
the ideas flow smoothly. If you quote from somewhere give reference.
Finally, a good Dissertation is an honest writing. It is one that contains no hot air, no waffling,
no padding, no attempts to substitute meaningless words merely to fill the required number of
pages. Say what you have to say and stop. Indeed, of you have done your research well, you
will have no problem. The self-discipline necessary is to learn how to write well. You will
learn to make every word count.
Two theories exist on the problem of starting to write. One theory counsels you to put
something, anything, on paper, just as long as you start. The hypothesis is that you can rewrite
later. The other theory counsels you to do the best job of writing that you can do on the very
first draft.
The approach you use will depend largely on the use you made of the time. If you have not
percolated in a productive way, you will find that you have to resort to the first; your thoughts
will not be sufficiently integrated to attempt the second approach. If, on the other hand, you
have percolated profitably, you will be able to use the second approach; the material will be so
much a part of your thoughts that your sentences and paragraphs will form themselves without
difficulty.
All your arguments should be neatly tied and logically culminated at the end of each section
and again in your conclusion. At the same time the interconnections between different sections
should be clearly maintained.

Material directly copied or reproduced from any other published or unpublished

projects/dissertations or directly downloaded and copied from various websites would be
disqualified. Such Dissertation Report would not be evaluated and the learner has to do
the Dissertation all over again.

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Format and Sequence of material in the Dissertation Report

The length of your Dissertation Work may be between 10,000 to 15000 words and should be
typed or word-processed. Choose a presentable font; the Times New Roman Font is now more
or less standard. Pages should be numbered sequentially at bottom-centre.

 Cover Page of Dissertation (Format given in Annexure B)

 First Page of the Dissertation (Format given in Annexure C)
 Letter of Proposal/Synopsis Approval from Programme Coordinator, MTTM, New
Delhi
 Table of Contents
 List of Figures/Tables
 Acknowledgement
 Main Text (comprises of the chapters, bibliography and appendices)

16.6.2 Editing and Writing

Read your Dissertation in a detached a manner. Pretend that someone else has written it and
that you are being paid to find fault with it. Also that you are being paid to recognise and praise
its good points. In short, be objective. As you read your Dissertation the first time, do not
concern yourself with content. With as many errors in style as it undoubtedly contains, you
cannot begin to evaluate its content; poor style obscures the value of its content.
The average learner does not know how to edit his first draft because he does not recognise
everything that is wrong with it. Even if you are not a gifted writer, however, your work will be
improved if you will delete its most glaring errors.
The second concern will be its content.
 Change all unnecessary uses of the passive voice to the active voice.
 Check all your adjectives, one by one. Is each one necessary? Does it add substance to your
statement? Could you delete it and strengthen the statement by choosing a more dramatic
verb instead?
 Check your conciseness. Have you put in unnecessary words and phrases?
Editing is hard work. It demands objectivity. It demands the willingness to read and reread, to
delete, and to rewrite. Nevertheless, this hard work will pay off. We promise you in the quality
of your finished work.
As you learn to make yourself conscious of errors as you are making them and as you
discipline yourself not to let those errors enter into your writing, the text will improve. As the
quality of your writing improves the time, effort, and pain involved in editing and rewriting
will lessen. Let that bright promise stir you to do your best work for the first time. If you will
so train yourself, you will find that you will begin to enjoy the challenge of writing.

Before you hand in your Dissertation for evaluation, have a copy made for
yourself. The Dissertation which is submitted for evaluation will not be returned.

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Dear learner; if we have laid down fast rules for you to follow, we have done so because both
you and your Supervisor will respond favourably to a Dissertation that gives evidence of
having been prepared with careful attention to the trifles that make perfection. That attention to
trifles begins with your first trip to the library and ends only with your completing the
Dissertation.
Our aim in writing this guide has been to map the road that lies between, to light up the dark
places, to recommend a safe speed limit, and to post the danger signs, in short, to make that
road less hazardous to travel. If you experience a sense of satisfaction when you finish your
journey, we shall have achieved that aim.

16.7 FINAL DISSERTATION REPORT SUBMISSION AND

EVALUATION
Prepare two copies and send one to us on the following address:
Registrar,
Student Evaluation Division (SED),
Block-12,
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
Maidan Garhi
New Delhi - 110 068
On top of the envelope, please write:

MTTM-16 DISSERTATION

CHECK LIST BEFORE SUBMISSION OF DISSERTATION REPORT

Make sure your Dissertation report has:

 The same title as in your approved Proposal/Synopsis
 The declaration, given in Annexure C duly signed by you and your Supervisor
 The Letter of Approval of Dissertation Proposal/Synopsis given by the Programme
Coordinator-MTTM
Evaluation
Upon its submission, your Dissertation will be sent to an examiner. You must secure a
minimum of 40% in your Dissertation Work in order to successfully complete your course.
Dissertation Report are evaluated twice a year, one along with the June Term End Examination
and the other along with the December Term End Examination.

Last Date for Submission of Final Dissertation Report

For Evaluation of Dissertation Report for
the JUNE Term End Examination
st
31 May (of the same year as the June TEE)
For Evaluation of Dissertation Report for
the DECEMBER Term End Examination
30th November (of the same year as the
December TEE)

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Dissertation Report received after the last date specified above would be considered for
evaluation for the next Term End Examination. For example if a student submits his/her
Dissertation Report on THE 1ST OF June, the Dissertation Report would be evaluated not for
the June TEE but only in the next TEE i.e. in December.

Remember:
 Dissertation Work should be original and in your own language;
 You should not copy or reproduce any other published or unpublished projects or
dissertations else it would be cancelled;
 Arguments should be substantiated by your data;
 Information should be properly documented; give photographs etc. if necessary;
 The research methodology adopted by you should be stated at the beginning of your work;
 Give a bibliography at the end. It should include all your sources like records, documents,
reports, questionnaire format, interviews, group meetings, newspapers, magazines, etc.
listed under separate heads.

In case you secure less than 40% marks, you will have to do it all over again. In that
case, you will have to send a Demand Draft of Rs.600/- drawn in favour of IGNOU,
payable at New Delhi, along with your new Dissertation to the Registrar, Student
Evaluation Division (SED), IGNOU, New Delhi.

16.8 LET US SUM UP

We hope you have understood the various aspects regarding dissertation work. You must
follow the steps carefully and abide by the procedures (see the figure on next page).

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 STAGES OF DISSERTATION WORK
STAGE 1

Read MTTM-16 Start thinking Narrow

(Dissertation Guide) down on
few ideas
Develop ideas

Discuss with Screen them

Supervisor

Prepare a proposal Select one topic Assess their

feasibility

STAGE 2

Send Proposal to Wait for Include modification

Programme - approval suggestions, if any
Coordinator

STAGE 3
Time Schedule

Data collection,
Field visits, Plan Organise Work
Questionnaires, etc

Keep discussing with Supervisor

FINAL STAGE

Analyse Write Draft - 1 Show to

Supervisor

Mail one (1) Final Report (2 Copies) Incorporate

Copy to SED Suggestions
Format (Draft-2)

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ANNEXURE A
DISSERTATION PROPOSAL PROFORMA

Candidate’s Information (to be filled by the candidate) Date

____________________________

Name ______________________________________

Programme Code: MTTM Course Code: MTTM-16

Enrolment No. Regional Centre _________________

Complete Postal
Address _____________________________________ StudyCentre _____________________

_____________________________________ Code

_____________________________________

Mobile No. __________________________________

Email ID:

Title of the Dissertation _______________________________________________________________

(Enclose the proposal/synopsis)

LETTER/CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL
(by the supervisor)

I hereby certify that the proposal for the Dissertation entitled __________________________________
_______________________________ by (Candidate’s Name) ________________________________
has been prepared after due consultation with me. The proposal has my approval and has, to my
knowledge, the potential of developing into a comprehensive Dissertation Work. I also agree to
supervise the above mentioned Dissertation till its completion.

(Signature of the Supervisor)

Name _____________________________________

Designation ________________________________

Address ___________________________________

______________________________________

_____________________________________

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ANNEXURE B
COVER PAGE OF DISSERTATION REPORT

[DISSERTATION TITLE]

Under the supervision of

______________________
(Supervisor's Name)

DISSERTATION REPORT SUBMITTED TO

INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR

THE AWARD OF

MASTERS OF TOURISM & TRAVEL MANAGEMENT (MTTM)

STUDENT NAME :
ENROLLMENT NUMBER :
STUDY CENTRE :
REGIONAL CENTRE :

23
ANNEXURE C
FIRST PAGE OF THE DISSERTATION REPORT

Programme Code: MTTM Enrolment No.

Course Code: MTTM-16 Study Centre Code

Regional Centre ________________________

TITLE OF THE DISSERTATION

Dissertation submitted to the Indira Gandhi National Open University in partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the award of the Masters Degree in Tourism Management. I hereby declare that this is
my original work and has not been submitted or copied from elsewhere.

Signature of the Candidate ___________________________________

Name of the Candidate ______________________________________
Address _________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Date of Submission_________________________________________

CERTIFICATE BY THE SUPERVISOR

CERTIFICATE
Certified that the Dissertation entitled (Topic)_____________________________________submitted
by (Candidate’s Name) _____________________________________ is his/her own work and has been
done under my supervision.
It is recommended that this Dissertation be placed before the examiner for evaluation.

(Signature of the Supervisor)

Name ____________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Study Centre ______________________________________________
Regional Centre ___________________________________________
Date ____________________________________________________

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 IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 Read the Dissertation Guide carefully.

 After reading it, identity a few themes.
 Discuss these themes with the Supervisor and select any one topic to pursue your
Dissertation Work.
 Prepare your proposal in consultation with your Supervisor.
 Mail/submit a copy of the Dissertation proposal, duly signed by your Supervisor, to
the Programme Coordinator (MTTM), SOTHSSM, Block 15, IGNOU, Maidan
Garhi. New Delhi-68
 Wait for a ‘Letter of Acknowledgement and Comment’ of the proposal you have
submitted. This letter will state whether your proposal has been approved or reframed or
not approved. If not approved, you will be given reasons and also suggestions. You will
then have to re-submit revised dissertation proposal/ new proposal until it is approved.
 Work on your Dissertation as per guidelines given in the Dissertation Guide.
 Prepare Dissertation Report in English only.
 The letter of Proposal approval form the Programme Coordinator (New Delhi) should be
attached in the Dissertation Report.
 Mail/submit your Dissertation Report to the Registrar, Student Evaluation Division
(SED), IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-68. The cover should clearly mention
MTTM-16 Dissertation.

*Give your complete postal address along with the area pin code. We will be sending the
Letter of Acknowledgement and Comment of proposal submission by Speed post. Many a
times because of incomplete address given by the learner/students, the letters are
returned back to us.

*Dissertation Report are evaluated only twice a year.

*Last Date for Submission of Final Dissertation Report

For Evaluation of Dissertation Report for
the JUNE Term End Examination
st
31 May (of the same year as the June TEE)
For Evaluation of Dissertation Report for
the DECEMBER Term End Examination
30th November (of the same year as the
December TEE)

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SOTHSSM, IGNOU

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